Human Rights and Protection of Lawyers | AZERBAIJAN

11th Day of the Endangered Lawyer: Focus on Azerbaijan

As it does every year, UIA-IROL supports the Day of the Endangered Lawyer, which is dedicated in 2021 to raise awareness about the situation of lawyers in Azerbaijan.


In Azerbaijan, the persecution of independent lawyers and their subjection to harassment, criminal prosecution and disbarment by the authorities has intensified in recent years. Such sanctions are intended to restrict lawyers’ ability to take on high profile and politically ‘sensitive’ cases, especially those involving human rights violations.

UIA-IROL co-signed a petition in support of the 2021 Day of the Endangered Lawyer calling upon Azerbaijani authorities to fully acknowledge the important role of independent and free lawyers. The petition also made recommendations to improve the protection of the independence and the safety of the legal profession in Azerbaijan, in accordance with European and international standards.

Learn more about the situation of our Azerbaijani colleagues and support them!

• International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger (OIAD) - Report: 11th Day of the Endangered Lawyer

• IDHAE – Report “ Dix années de persécution de la profession d’avocat“ (only available in French)

#Dayoftheendangeredlawyer #Azerbaijan



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The Day of the Endangered Lawyer is commemorated each year on 24 January. On that special day, the international legal community is asked to 1) raise awareness about the number of lawyers who are being harassed, silenced, pressured, threatened, persecuted, tortured and murdered for their work as lawyers; and 2) initiate, or further develop a national discussion about ways to protect lawyers.  In past years, the Day focused on the following countries: China, Colombia, Egypt, Honduras, Iran, Pakistan, The Philippines, Spain/Basque Country, Turkey.